Pope Francis' Hat Up for Auction on eBay

Italian TV show got the pope to trade hats and they have put it up for auction.

ByABC News
September 18, 2014, 5:09 PM
Pope Francis delivers his blessing as he arrives to hold his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sept. 17, 2014.
Pope Francis delivers his blessing as he arrives to hold his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sept. 17, 2014.
Andrew Medichini/AP Photo

— -- Want to own an authentic skullcap worn by Pope Francis? You can buy it on eBay -- if you’re willing to fork over at least $258,000 -- and that price is rapidly going up.

An Italian TV show managed to trade hats with the pontiff as he rode around St. Peter's Square. The host of the show reached out towards Francis with a new skullcap. Security handed the skullcap to the pope, who stopped the car, examined it, put it on his head, and gave the old one to the show’s host.

The skullcap was posted to eBay Wednesday night and by Thursday afternoon already had 134 bids topping €200,000. The auction closes on Sept. 24.

Agence France-Presse reports the show, Le Iene (The Hyenas), will donate the money to an Italian charity fighting child mortality in the Democratic Republic of Congo.